2025 Campground Host

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Volunteer Service Description: Campground Host

Service Date(s): Late May-September

*Service Location: Lava Flow Campground, Craters of the Moon NM&P

*Time Commitment:

32+ hours per week

Main Goals for Position

• This position is within the Recreational Fee Division at Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve.

• The volunteer will be stationed at the Lava Flow Campground, which is operated by the National Park Service.

• The position involves providing information to park visitors about the park and its resources, as well as interpreting park regulations for visitors to ensure compliance.

Description of Duties

Campground Hosts provide an NPS presence in CRMO’s Campground to answer camper questions, conduct minor maintenance work, and monitor conditions for safety hazards, resource damage, and maintenance needs.

• Maintain assigned campsite in accordance with all park regulations and set a good example for visitors.

• Contact campers throughout campground. Provide information about the park, interpretive programs, campground regulations, and the surrounding area.

• Interpret campground regulations for visitors and report law enforcement issues to park rangers.

• Ensure visitors understand and follow food storage regulations. Does not perform law enforcement.

• Assist campers with campsite registration. Does not perform payment compliance.

• Report any safety hazards, in or out of the campground, to supervisor.

• Assist with other projects outside the campground as directed by supervisor including help with traffic control and emergency situations.

• Perform litter control and light cleaning of campground grills. Report campground maintenance needs to park rangers.

• Clean and disinfect toilets, replenish supplies, and notify supervisor when the vault toilet needs to be pumped.

• Assist visitors after hours on occasion.

• Use a park radio professionally and properly.

• Determine work schedule with the Volunteer Supervisor upon hiring and will commit to the schedule.

• Handle emergency situations and contact emergency services as necessary.

• Minimum Age Requirement - 18 years old

• Qualifying Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

o Interest in Customer Service and creating meaningful experiences for park visitors

o Ability to acquire a working knowledge of park resources and recreational opportunities.

o Ability to work independently and as part of a team

o Ability to effectively communicate with a high volume of people of all ages and backgrounds.

o Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required. Host should have the ability to maintain a courteous and professional demeanor during stressful situations

o Ability to follow written and verbal instructions

o Ability to adhere to established protocols and policies

Working Environment and Safety Considerations

Safe behavior is a condition of volunteering with the NPS. Hosts are expected to adhere to park

policies, management directives, and best practices regarding safety. Hosts are expected to speak candidly if they are concerned about the level of risk they observe, and bring any safety concerns to their supervisor's attention, either directly or anonymously. Hosts will participate in required safety training and adhere to policies and programs designed to assist them in performing work safely. Failure to follow directives related to safety may result in termination.

The majority of the work is outside. The volunteer must have a strong awareness of high desert and high elevation mountain environments, rough terrain, extreme climate conditions and the ability to live in relatively remote areas sometimes with few amenities. Volunteer must be familiar with safe and appropriate ways to deal with potential environmental conditions, including extreme heat, high winds, and dry conditions through information provided by their supervisor prior to field work being conducted.

Working Environment

• Walking or hiking for distances up to 2 miles per day at an altitude of 6,000 feet.

• Standing or walking for periods of 8 hours per day.

• Lifting loads or carrying backpacks of 25 pounds.

• Performing duties in temperatures ranging from 20°F to 105°F.

• Hiking on trails known to be habitat for mule deer, rattlesnakes.

• On roadways near traffic moving at low speeds.

• GOV Vehicle - Upon completion of Park-provided training in a defensive driving course, volunteer will be able to use a Gov vehicle to move throughout the campground.

• Personal Protective Equipment- PPE will be provided including sun-protection (hats, SPF shirts), cold protection (jackets and winter hats), and additional visibility (high-vis vests) as needed for duties. High­ vis vests should be worn if working within 10 feet of vehicular traffic.Work gloves and tools will be provided as needed.

• Project Specific Supplies - VIPs will be issued or given access to the location of supplies including orientation materials (unigrids and maps) and clickers/counters to tabulate visitation statistics.

• Radios - VIPs will have access to radios. VIPs must complete radio procedure training.

Use of POV - Hosts may use a POV (personally owned vehicle) from the Craters of the Moon Visitor Center to Campground. The use of a POV for traveling from their home to their assigned campsite is not protected from loss or damage.

• Personal Equipment- VIPs must provide their own camper or trailer. Optional PPE such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and insect repellant may be provided by the Host. If a Host chooses to use personal equipment when government equipment is readily available, that personal property is not protected from loss, damage, or destruction during service. The volunteer will not be reimbursed for the loss.

• Supplying Parts of the VIP Uniform - Volunteers in Parks are required to supply their own pants/shorts (khaki or brown) and work-appropriate closed toed shoes for hiking in developed and undeveloped areas. If personal clothing items are damaged or lost, the loss is not recoverable or reimbursable. Hosts should dress properly for current weather conditions; layers, hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are recommended.

A background investigation is required, including the applicant providing their DMV record

Volunteer Benefits

• Housing - Hosts are required to live in the Campground on an RV pad or in a cabin.

• Trainings Provided - Hosts will be provided with general park and Volunteer Program orientation. Training topics will include informal interpretation, radio procedures, heat, lighting, air quality SOPs, and medical emergency procedures. VIPs will be provided with training on incident reporting, campground rules and regulations, pass checking, and park visitation statistics by the Volunteer Supervisor. CPR and First Aid Training provided.

• Uniform Provided - Hosts will be provided with uniform shirt(s) with the VIP insignia (short or long­ sleeve button downs and/or dry-wicking t-shirts), a hat with the VIP insignia (baseball cap or wide­ brimmed hat), and a name plate. VIPs will receive a gold name plate after their first year of service. Uniform items will be provided by the Volunteer Office.

• Park Pass -Volunteers are eligible to be issues and America the Beautiful Volunteer Pass after serving 250 Hours, over any length of time.

• Limited RV Services - Water, sewer and electric (up to 20 Amps) may be available--to be clarified upon interview.

Start Date - 2025-05-19

End Date - 2025-09-30